Date: 7/27/25 2:57 pm From: Chris Marsh (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Spraying for mosquitoes, and the effect on birds
I’m assuming this insecticide is similar to the one health departments use
in their fogging trucks. The insecticide is absorbed through the mosquito’s
wings. It’s a very low concentration so probably doesn’t hurt birds
directly. BUT a Ph.D. entomologist I discussed mosquito spraying with
acknowledged that the mist used in mosquito fogging kills microlepidoptera
in addition to mosquitoes. We allowed it one time at Spring Island when the
mosquitoes were really bad and the next morning I had some residents
complaining about dead butterflies in their driveways. (We didn’t do that
again.) It should never be used near salt marshes because it kills shrimp
and crab larvae.
Chris Marsh
Winston-Salem
On Sun, Jul 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM Ruth Grissom <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> I’d be curious to see any of this info as well, whether it’s for a
> neighborhood-wide spray or individual homeowners spraying their yards. In
> my Charlotte neighborhood, I’m seeing more and more people using these
> services.
>
> Many thanks,
> Ruth Ann
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 27, 2025, at 12:24 PM, Isabel Reddy <isabel...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
>
> If anybody is informed on the effect on birds from neighborhoods that are
> spraying for mosquitoes, I would love some information. Feel free to reply
> to me directly.
>
> I do have the names of the chemicals being used.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Isabel Reddy
>
> Orange County, NC
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 27, 2025, at 11:20 AM, Brian Pendergraft <carolinabirds...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Good morning.
>
> I'm hoping there are still a good number of birders that take a look at
> this listserv from time to time,because it's almost that time again. The
> broadcasting of the Gray-cheeked Thrush Program. The weather has been
> brutal for sure this summer, BUT the weather folks are saying that there is
> an end in sight........I HOPE!
>
> Despite two major knee surgeries recently, and no I'm not 100%, but the
> show must go on! I'm so fortunate to have Ryan Justice and Tony Hewitt
> again this year, and they are excited to get the hot and very humid weather
> behind us, and start seeing the fall migrants. I did a brief walk around
> in the front woods this morning, and the dogwood berries are back! Last
> year we didn't have any, but there are berries in every tree currently.
> Couple that with the berries on the large eastern magnolia, there are bird
> vittles available. Hopefully that means a few more thrushes.
>
> This year's program is October 4-11, with an encore date of October 18. I
> did reach out to the folks who attended last year, and I have 50+ already
> signed up. But there is plenty of room available EXCEPT for October 11th.
> This day is booked for the New Hope Club, and this will be their 12th
> straight year of attending this laid back birding event. A shout out also
> needs to go out to the Burlington Club, who also has attended every year!
> Their date is October 4th, but there is room for more this date.
>
> Most of the folks on this listserv do know about the program, and I won't
> go into great detail here, but here are a few of the highlights.
>
> The program highlights the three "brown" thrushes (Gray-cheeked,
> Swainson's, and Wood Thrush,) and the last date will probably have a Hermit
> Thrush here. We only had one day with the Gray-cheeked last year, but I'm
> hoping for better results this year with the increased food supply. We
> typically have more than one, and many years we have them on multiple days.
>
> We also look for Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and
> multiple warbler species which have included Bay-breasted, Cape May, BT
> Green and Blue, Ovenbird, Redstarts, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, etc.
>
> We will be birding about an acre of the total property, and we don't need
> to do a lot of walking. We actually sit in chairs for a lot of this
> program. I have coffee and a light breakfast, andI only ask a small fee
> for the breakfast expenses.
>
> I have numerous deer around including "Oatmeal" the piebald one who is now
> 5-years old, so we may enjoy her as well.
>
> I've included the Trip Report for the 2024 program so that you can see
> what we had during the program. This list does include afternoon "sky
> birds" that Ryan, Tony and I see later in the program days.
>
> If you are interested in joining this fun event that has seen hundreds of
> folks over the years, please reach to me off-line, and if you have any
> questions, please ask me here.
>
> https://ebird.org/tripreport/280182 >
> Brian Pendergraft
> Falls Lake, NC
>
>
